Belgian Senate condemns killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh

The entire Belgian Senate, apart from an abstention by PVDA, strongly condemned "the threat, intimidation and murder of journalists and more specifically the shooting of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh" on Friday. The resolution also asks Israel to have her death investigated quickly, thoroughly, independently and impartially.

The Belgian Senate also condemned the use of "disproportionate force and disrespectful behaviour" by the Israeli police against those present at the funeral procession of Shireen Abu Akleh. 

Freedom of speech and press freedom are essential mechanisms for the functioning of a democracy, the Senate declared. Killing a journalist is a war crime under international law, the resolution reads.

The text also calls on the country's governments to strongly condemn the shooting of Abu Akleh and to closely monitor an independent and impartial investigation into the journalist's death. In bilateral contacts with Israel, it should be pointed out that 'the death of Shireen Abu Akleh and the use of force during the funeral procession further aggravate the conflict and are contrary to international norms'.

(KOR)

Palestinian mourners carry the casket of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during her funeral procession in Jerusalem on 13 May 2022 © RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP